Elena Villalba (Málaga, 1974) is the general director for Spain, Portugal and Latin America of Mirabaud Asset Management, the manager of the Swiss private bank that manages 7.2 billion euros.
Ask. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Answer. When you learn to be grateful and value the life lessons that failures give you, and you fulfill your dreams surrounded by people who love you unconditionally.
Q. What are your hobbies when you are out of the office?
R. Going on mountain routes, skiing, sailing, riding a bike, cooking for my friends, and trying to beat my son at table football and Chinese checkers. When I have more time, travel. That is one of my great passions, I have a great time preparing for trips, I live them twice as much.
Q. How many hours do you need to sleep to feel good?
R. Rest is essential to face the day. I sleep an average of seven hours, although sometimes I would turn off the alarm clock and stay in bed for two more hours.
Q. What applications do you use the most on your mobile phone?
R. The ones I use the most are TuneIn Radio, Spotify, Linkedin and Uber
Q. Which trip do you cherish most? What destinations do you have pending?
R. One of the ones I remember most fondly was the Atacama Desert in Chile. A destination where adventure is guaranteed. I have many pending places to visit, I would like to soak up more of Asia and discover the Galapagos.
Q. What groups or type of music can’t be missing from your ‘play list’?
R. I have a broad musical taste. Rock can’t be missed. Nor the Spanish music of the 80s and 90s, jazz and some indie. To study or work, classical music inspires me and helps me concentrate.
Q. Do you recommend any books that you have read recently?
R. Sick, fat and poorby Dr. Leonardo Trasande. It has opened my eyes a lot to limit exposure to environmental toxins, which are the source of many diseases. It is the book that I have been giving lately to my family and friends. We must get our act together now to age healthily, without being extremists of course.
Q. Are you a fan of television series? What are your favorites?
R. I don’t watch much television, so I don’t usually get hooked on series. But one of my favorite movies is The Princess Bride.
Q. What defect would you like to correct in your personality?
R. Sometimes I’m too optimistic
Q. And what virtue would you highlight?
R. I am very optimistic
Q. Do you like gastronomy? What restaurants do you usually choose for business meals? And for meals with friends or family?
R. I love gastronomy and enjoying good raw materials. For business meals, I really like the booths at the Saddle restaurant, La Buena Vida, García de la Navarra and El Fogón de Trifón, among others. For meals with friends and family, El Barco Aparicio, in Pozuelo de Alarcón, the La Catapa bar. And from my land of Malaga, the bar of the Refectorium restaurant next to the bullring, and for some good small fish looking out to the sea at the Gabi restaurant, in the fishing neighborhood of El Palo.
Q. What advice have they given you that you always keep in mind?
R. My mother always told me, don’t be afraid of anything, the important thing is that you fight for your dreams and if it doesn’t turn out well, you will surely have learned something.
Q. What advice do you like to give?
R. The same one my mother gave me. I think that living without fear of failure is the most wonderful thing in the world, whatever you do.
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